Porch Family Van

Joshua and Beth Porch are the proud parents
of six kids - ages four and under!

Their Story:
When Beth experienced severe hyperemesis (Hyperemesis Gravidarum www.helpher.org) with her first two pregnancies, Joshua and Beth weren’t sure they could have more children. However, they both had a heart for orphans, and soon became foster parents of an adorable little girl. Before long, the young parents found out they were expecting twins!   With the Lord’s help and guidance, they became the proud parents of three young daughters and two identical twin boys!! But God was still not finished building their family: their foster daughter’s biological mother was again pregnant. This new baby girl was born premature and was placed in Joshua and Beth’s care right away.   Consequently, in four short years, Joshua and Beth were parenting six children aged four and under, with five in diapers! Beth is rejoicing that they now only have four in diapers!

*Note:  The foster children's faces are hidden in all the pictures for privacy.
 

The Needs: 

1. TRANSPORTATION: Unfortunately, Joshua and Beth cannot transport the whole family together: they use two vehicles. Their budget cannot handle a 12-15 passenger van.
2. ADOPTION: Joshua and Beth are working toward adopting both little girls into their family permanently.
3. THEIR HOME: Joshua and Beth completely rehabbed a home built in 1880, but they still have some work to do on the bathroom, doors, windows, and trim.
4. SAFE PARKING FOR THEIR CARS: Joshua and Beth need a concrete pad in the back/alley area of their home as they don’t have a driveway and live on a busy street.
5. CHURCH PLANTING: They are working closely with a pastor to plant a church in Indiana.
6. DIETARY ISSUES: Beth and five of her children have gluten allergies that require a higher food budget. One child is allergic to milk and the others are lactose intolerant.

The Struggles:
In addition to the cost of having six young children, the Porches have had various medical bills resulting from Beth’s pregnancies and pituitary microadenoma which is growing and will probably need to be removed later this year. Joshua has hemochromatosis, a genetic disease in which too much iron builds up in his body, and he needs regular treatments (phlebotomies) to stay healthy.

The children have medical struggles as well. One has amblyopia (lazy eye) and a duplicate kidney, another has torticollis, one of the twins has a growth on his palate with a possible mild cleft palate and both have mild speech delays, and another child has a significant speech delay. Both foster children have been diagnosed with hypotonia. In total, four kids receive therapy from first steps which includes weekly speech therapy, physical therapy for two, and developmental therapy for another two. 

Joshua has an average job, and Beth supports him and the children as a stay-at-home mom. However, Joshua has recently graduated from seminary and has been called into ministry. This adds the extra stress that comes from additional service and time in ministry planning.

Our Prayer:
We designed this fundraiser to bless the Porches as they seek to serve and glorify God in all they do. This is a family that is ministering to a culture in dire need of a saving faith. Our prayer is that through this website, you will see God’s hand in this young family’s life as they embark on missions that He has ordained for them. We pray that funds would become available for them to be able to purchase a 12-15 passenger van, to assist them with medical expenses, to help them obtain the materials necessary to build a safe parking pad in the back alley area of their home, and to help support them in their church planting season.

Finally:

Ladybug's birthday (Ladybug is the 'online' name Joshua and Beth have given to their first foster child) is June 7th.  Joshua and Beth are hoping and praying that this date marks when her permanent adoption into the family is finalized.  In honor of Ladybug's 3rd birthday, we've chosen June 7th as the target date for funds to be raised to help Joshua and Beth be able to acquire funds so that they can transport their family in one car and perhaps even be able to work toward meeting some of their other family needs. 

Thank you for taking the time to read about Joshua and Beth, their family, and their love for all their children.  Please remember to pray for them as they raise their children and serve in their community.